Method and apparatus for vibrating melt in an injection molding machine using active material elements

Abstract

Method and apparatus for applying vibration and/or oscillation to melt within an injection mold includes at least one stable surface within the mold, at least one movable surface within the mold, at least one active material element affixed to each stable surface, and adjacent to each movable surface. In use, a control means repeatedly energizes the at least one active material element, wherein the repeated energizing of the at least one active material element generates vibration and/or oscillation in the melt. In the method, at least one active material element is activated intermittently to move the at least one movable surface with respect to the at least one fixed surface. In the apparatus, a wiring conduit is coupled to the active material insert, and is configured to carry vibration signals to the at least one active material element.

1 . A method for generating vibration in melt within an injection mold, comprising the steps of: 
 activating at least one active material element intermittently to move at least one movable surface in said mold with respect to at least one fixed surface in said mold.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vibration is transmitted to melt within an injection mold cavity of said mold.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one fixed surface is a core plate in said mold, and said at least one movable surface is a mold core insert in said mold.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one fixed surface is a manifold plate in said mold, and said at least one movable surface is a mold cavity insert in said mold.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one fixed surface includes a core plate and a manifold plate and said at least one movable surface includes a mold core insert and a mold cavity insert.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vibration is transmitted to melt within a hot runner nozzle system of said mold.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said fixed surface is a manifold, and said movable surface is a hot runner nozzle body.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said vibration is transmitted to melt within a runner.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of intermittent activating is carried out at variable frequencies.